Domestic worker salaries to be transferred via digital wallets starting in 2026

Starting tomorrow, January 1, 2026, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will implement the fifth and final phase of its decision mandating employers to transfer domestic workers' salaries through approved digital wallets. This crucial step culminates the efforts of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to regulate the domestic worker sector and guarantee the rights of all contracting parties.

The official account of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development confirmed that payments will be automatically documented through the "Musaned" platform, the official platform for domestic worker services in the Kingdom, noting that the service is provided without any additional fees for beneficiaries. This measure aims to facilitate financial transactions and make them more transparent and reliable.

Context and development of the Wage Protection Program

This decision is an extension of the Wage Protection Program previously launched by the Ministry, which has undergone several phases to ensure smooth and flexible implementation. The initial phases made the decision mandatory for new domestic workers arriving in the Kingdom, then gradually expanded to include broader segments based on the number of workers employed by an employer, culminating in this final phase which encompasses all current and new domestic workers without exception. This phased approach reflects the commitment of relevant authorities to preparing both society and employers for a complete digital transformation of financial transactions.

The importance of the decision and its impact on the labor market

This transformation is of paramount importance both locally and internationally, as it contributes directly to:

• Preserving contractual rights: Digital transfer is considered conclusive proof of payment of financial dues, which greatly reduces labor disputes and issues related to delayed or unpaid wages.
• Enhancing transparency: The system allows the ministry to monitor employers’ compliance with paying wages on time, which raises the efficiency of the Saudi labor market and improves its image in international forums and international human rights and labor organizations.
• Financial inclusion: The decision contributes to integrating domestic workers into the formal financial system, enabling them to benefit from banking and digital services, and reducing reliance on cash transactions and the associated security risks or loss of money.

Keeping pace with the Kingdom's Vision 2030

This decision aligns perfectly with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 for digital transformation and the development of electronic financial transactions. Digital wallets in Saudi Arabia are among the most advanced in the region, providing a secure and fast environment for money transfers. This comprehensive mandate is expected to increase the percentage of digital payments in the Kingdom, strengthen the infrastructure of the digital economy, and eliminate commercial concealment or irregular financial practices that may occur under undocumented cash transactions.